South Bend IN vs Syracuse NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
South Bend
102,866
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
South Bend
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
South Bend
33.9
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
South Bend
8.9%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
South Bend
24.4%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
South Bend
1.7%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
South Bend
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 8.9% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 54.1% | 51.9% | South Bend + |
| Black | 24.4% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 10.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
South Bend
$29,511
South Bend +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
South Bend
$58,697
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
South Bend
29.4%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,512 | $45,845 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,511 | $27,570 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 29.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.4% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $194,972 | $215,134 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.8% | 41.3% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 434 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1736 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.2%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
South Bend
20.3%
South Bend +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
South Bend
12.6%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
South Bend
15.3%
Syracuse
15.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
South Bend
18.2%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 41.5% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 20.8% | South Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
49.8°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.8°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | 41.5 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
South Bend
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
South Bend
21.6 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | South Bend, IN | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs South Bend, INLos Angeles, CA vs South Bend, INChicago, IL vs South Bend, INHouston, TX vs South Bend, INPhoenix, AZ vs South Bend, INPhiladelphia, PA vs South Bend, IN